Waterford adds nearly 40 new hires, now among largest fire departments in Michigan WITH VIDEO

At a welcoming ceremony for the Waterford Regional Fire Department's new 39 employees Monday, paid for with a two-year federal grant, senior staff said they are open to discussions of consolidation.

"We are always looking for opportunities to work together," said Fire Chief Ron Spears.

"If that is something (another) community would desire, we are always willing to sit down and talk to them."

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The fire department introduced the newly hired firefighters Monday during a short ceremony at 8 a.m. The additional manpower makes Waterford among the largest departments in Michigan.

The employees, including one woman, then separated into groups to begin a week of orientation.

Watch a report on the new hires on today's News at Noon.

Waterford now has 144 total firefighters -- with 138 on the line and six in administration. This makes Waterford the fifth largest department in the state behind Detroit with 1,235; Flint, 240; Grand Rapids, 204; and Lansing, 171. Dearborn is the sixth largest with 121, according to the state's Licensing and Regulatory Affairs department.

In 2012, the department responded to about 10,000 calls.

The new firefighters were hired under the Staffing for Adequate Firefighters and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program funded by the Department of Homeland Security. The township will receive a total of $7.6 million grant over two years, officials said.

Waterford Supervisor Gary Wall called the addition of the 39 a "great thing."

"We'll have them two years but we feel it could go to as many as four or six. Other communities with SAFER grants have been extended that far."

Waterford provides fire and EMS emergency services to Waterford Township, and the cities of Pontiac and Lake Angelus. Waterford has been providing emergency services Lake Angelus since 2000 and the City of Pontiac since Feb. 1, 2012.

"It's very exciting to be able to bring the new firefighters on board," said Spears. "It's exciting to see the department grow and to see us provide better services to the residents."

Greg Baroni, supervisor in neighboring White Lake, said he would have to research what is involved before making any moves.

"I'd have to take a look at the logistics and scenarios on how a fire authority would work," he said, referring to consolidation. White Lake is adjacent to Waterford's western borders.

"We have 18 full-time firefighters and 30 paid on-call right now. Brighton has a fire authority, and there's one in North Oakland. (A change) could be looked at."

Peter Auger, Auburn Hills city manager, said the city has 14 full-time firefighters and 38 paid on call crews. "We are always open to any (shared services) talk, but right now we have a pretty good fire department and I like what we are seeing out of ours," he said. Auburn Hills is located just east of Pontiac.

Auger said the mutual aid agreements the city has with other neighboring towns work well.

"We can build on those," he said. "I think that is the way to go."

Spears said the new firefighters will be "put to work. We can adequately staff our fire trucks and rescues with four staff per engine."

Some of the new hires are recent graduates from fire academies while others are career firefighters who applied to come to Waterford.

The extra workers will be spread over Waterford's eight stations in the township and Pontiac. Spears said the extra staff will mean 46 people will be scheduled each day as opposed to the 33 before.

"All three communities," with a total population of 131,000, "will benefit from this," said Spears.

This has been a time of change at the Waterford Fire Department. Just last year 46 new employees were added during the Pontiac consolidation.

"We look forward to what 2014 will bring as well," Spears said.

Contact Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or carol.hopkins@oakpress.com. Follow her on Twitter @OPCarolHopkins or on Facebook @OPcarolhopkins.